Rome’s Worst Defeat: The Battle of Cannae 216 B.C.E.
The battle of Cannae was an almost perfect tactical victory for Hannibal Barca. Facing a Roman army almost twice the size on a level field,…
The Greatest Underdog Victories in Pre-Gunpowder Battles
Ancient and Medieval generals were often smart enough to avoid battle against a much larger force but throughout history there are many cases where much…
Caligula, Arminius and Vercingetorix Rome’s Most Hated Persons
Rome hated a lot of people over the thousands of years it held power, so this list is far from comprehensive, feel free to add…
Blood and Discipline: What it Was Like to Fight in a Roman Battle
It’s the first century AD and the Roman army is at the height of its power and professionalism. You’re part of that army – a…
The Persian Thermopylae: When Alexander The Great Nearly Lost His Empire In Battle
The Battle of the Persian Gate is not well-known, despite it being almost identical to the Greek stand at Thermopylae, only with reversed sides. A…
Rome’s Greatest Enemies – Five People Who Fought Back Against the Empire
At its height, the Roman Empire spanned huge swathes of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Their military prowess, groundbreaking use of strategy and enormous…
The Roman Army Never Wanted To Be Forgotten – Here Are Some Legacies They Left Behind
Given the circumstances, we know an amazing amount about the ancient Roman army. Over 1500 years after the fall of the Roman Empire fell, we…
Being a Footsoldier in Ancient Battles; A Frontline View of Victory
What was it actually like to fight with the heavy infantry on an ancient battlefield? The average person has their views shaped by Hollywood, but…
3 Key Phases in the History of the Roman Army
The Roman army is often remembered as a highly professional force, with legionaries in segmented armour organised into centuries for close order combat. In reality, the…
Roman Military Officers and What They Did
The Roman Empire saw one of the first truly professional armies in history, and became the inspiration for European armies that followed it. Though its…
The Battle of Megiddo: The First Recorded Battle Of Military History
The first battle for which we have a clear historical record took place in the Levant in the 15th century BC. Though we know that…
Napoleon As Augustus: How He Modelled Himself On The Roman Empire
“I am a true Roman Emperor; I am of the best race of the Caesars – those who are founders.” – Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812. Throughout…